England defeated Iran 6-2 in the Group B opener in Doha on Monday.

England's World Cup campaign got off to a flying start on Monday, when Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham inspired a 6-2 thrashing of outclassed Iran in Doha.

With dynamic performances that highlighted their emergence as two of the game's brightest young stars, Saka and Bellingham were England's driving forces.

Bellingham, 19, shattered Iran's hopes of frustrating England in the first half when he rose to head his first senior international goal.

Bellingham became England's youngest World Cup scorer since Michael Owen in 1998, and the first player born in 2000 or later to score in the finals.

Gareth Southgate's side dominated at the Khalifa International Stadium, with goals from Saka and Raheem Sterling putting them in complete control before halftime.

Saka, 21, scored again after the break, and while Iran's Mehdi Taremi scored twice, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish completed the rout.

There will be far more difficult tests ahead for England as they attempt to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

Southgate's only concern was seeing Harry Maguire replaced in the second half after being checked for a possible head injury.

England's next match is against the United States on Friday, followed by a match against Wales on November 29.